Pasig hostage drama ends without bloodshed

MANILA, Philippines – The nearly three-hour hostage drama in Pasig City has ended without bloodshed.

The hostage-taker, Jeffrey Repayo, finally surrendered after a long dialogue with police and local government officials that began at 2 a.m., radio reports said Thursday morning.

Repayo’s hostages – Ricardo Cruz, 49, and the latter’s daughter Christine – were released unharmed around 4:30 a.m.

Earlier, in his bid to escape pursuing police, Repayo barged into the two-story house owned by the Cruz family in Ramos Compound in Rosario village and took hostage Ricardo and Christine.

Ricardo’s wife, Vivien, was able to escape by jumping out the window.

Police said before the hostage-taking drama, Repayo engaged policemen in a high-speed motorcycle chase. When cornered, he slipped the police cordon and fled on foot towards the Rosario compound.

Repayo, police said, is wanted for various crimes.